*Present Day*
Kate finished playing. It was over. The air was heavy with finality. This was it. She had done her best.
She grasped the handle of the viola and put it down on the chair. It had sounded better than any viola she had ever played before. She didn't know if it was magic or simply a well-made instrument. She carefully placed the bow beside it on the chair.
Turning around, Kate looked back at the man and was surprised to find his hood had fallen down to reveal his face. She didn't expect death to look so ordinary. He was a middle-aged man with dark hair and eyes. He wiped tears from his eyes.
Kate had made death cry.
She knew this was no small feat.
She looked around and the faceless men around the court had disappeared. It was only her and death in the circular room.
Ha
